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Research papers on Screen time and child development

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  1. The effect of multiple adverse childhood experiences on health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Karen Hughes, Mark A Bellis, Katherine A. Hardcastle, et al. · 2017 · The Lancet Public Health · 5,079 citations

    BACKGROUND: A growing body of research identifies the harmful effects that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; occurring during childhood or adolescence; eg, child maltreatment or exposure to domestic violence) have on health throughout life. Studies have quantified such effects for individual ACEs. However, ACEs frequently co-occur and no synthesis of findings from studies measuring the effect of multiple ACE types has been done. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched five electronic databases for cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies published up to May 6, 2016, reporting risks of health outcomes, consisting of substance use, sexual health, mental hea

  2. High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a revolution

    Margaret E. Kruk, Anna Gage, Catherine Arsenault, et al. · 2018 · The Lancet Global Health · 3,977 citations

    and respecting all workers to deliver the best care possible. Fourth, governments and civil society should ignite demand for quality in the population to empower people to hold systems accountable and actively seek high-quality care. Additional targeted actions in areas such as health financing, management, district-level learning, and others can complement these efforts. What works in one setting might not work elsewhere, and improvement efforts should be adapted for local context and monitored. Funders should align their support with system-wide strategies rather than contribute to the proliferation of micro-level efforts.

  3. Childhood Adversities Increase the Risk of Psychosis: A Meta-analysis of Patient-Control, Prospective- and Cross-sectional Cohort Studies

    Filippo Varese, Feikje Smeets, Marjan Drukker, et al. · 2012 · Schizophrenia Bulletin · 2,422 citations

    Evidence suggests that adverse experiences in childhood are associated with psychosis. To examine the association between childhood adversity and trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, neglect, parental death, and bullying) and psychosis outcome, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Web of Science were searched from January 1980 through November 2011. We included prospective cohort studies, large-scale cross-sectional studies investigating the association between childhood adversity and psychotic symptoms or illness, case-control studies comparing the prevalence of adverse events between psychotic patients and controls using dichotomous or continuous measures, and ca

  5. Self-regulatory processes in early personality development: A multilevel approach to the study of childhood social withdrawal and aggression

    Susan D. Calkins, Nathan A. Fox · 2002 · Development and Psychopathology · 572 citations

    Self-regulatory processes are believed to be critical to early personality and behavioral adjustment. Such processes can be observed on multiple levels, including the physiological, attentional, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal domains of functioning. Data from several longitudinal studies suggest links between early temperamental tendencies such as behavioral inhibition and frustration tolerance, and regulatory developments at the levels of physiological, attentional, and emotional regulation. Deficits in these particular levels of self-regulation may underlie childhood social withdrawal and aggression. Significant gaps remain in our knowledge of the pathways to disordered behavior a

  6. Effects of Physical Activity on Motor Skills and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

    Nan Zeng, Mohammad Ayyub, Haichun Sun, et al. · 2017 · BioMed Research International · 452 citations

    OBJECTIVE: This study synthesized literature concerning casual evidence of effects of various physical activity programs on motor skills and cognitive development in typically developed preschool children. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched through July 2017. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in healthy young children (4-6 years) were screened. RESULTS: A total of 15 RCTs were included. Of the 10 studies assessing the effects of physical activity on motor skills, eight (80%) reported significant improvements in motor performance and one observed mixed findings, but one failed t

  8. Parental Reports on Touch Screen Use in Early Childhood

    Alejandrina Cristià, Amanda Seidl · 2015 · PLoS ONE · 194 citations

    Touch screens are increasingly prevalent, and anecdotal evidence suggests that young children are very drawn towards them. Yet there is little data regarding how young children use them. A brief online questionnaire queried over 450 French parents of infants between the ages of 5 and 40 months on their young child's use of touch-screen technology. Parents estimated frequency of use, and further completed several checklists. Results suggest that, among respondent families, the use of touch screens is widespread in early childhood, meaning that most children have some exposure to touch screens. Among child users, certain activities are more frequently reported to be liked than others, findings

  9. Association Between Screen Time Trajectory and Early Childhood Development in Children in China.

    Jin Zhao, Zhangsheng Yu, Xiaoning Sun, et al. · 2022 · JAMA pediatrics · 120 citations

    Importance Screen time has become an integral part of children's daily lives. Nevertheless, the developmental consequences of screen exposure in young children remain unclear. Objective To investigate the screen time trajectory from 6 to 72 months of age and its association with children's development at age 72 months in a prospective birth cohort. Design, Setting, and Participants Women in Shanghai, China, who were at 34 to 36 gestational weeks and had an expected delivery date between May 2012 and July 2013 were recruited for this cohort study. Their children were followed up at 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 72 months of age. Children's screen time was classified into 3 groups at age 6

  11. Screen time and early childhood development in Ceará, Brazil: a population-based study

    Hermano Alexandre Lima Rocha, Luciano Lima Correia, Álvaro Jorge Madeiro Leite, et al. · 2021 · BMC Public Health · 71 citations

    BACKGROUND: Globally, children's exposure to digital screens continues to increase and is associated with adverse effects on child health. We aimed to evaluate the association of screen exposure with child communication, gross-motor, fine-motor, problem-solving, and personal-social development scores. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study with cluster sampling among children 0-60 months of age living in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Child screen time was assessed by maternal report and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations were used to define excessive screen time exposure. Child development was assessed with the Brazilian Ages and Stages Questionnaire.

  12. Screen on = development off? A systematic scoping review and a developmental psychology perspective on the effects of screen time on early childhood development

    F. Sticca, Valérie Brauchli, Patricia Lannen · 2025 · Frontiers in Developmental Psychology · 23 citations

    Research on the associations between screen time and child development suggests that various forms of screen time might pose a risk for various aspects of child development. However, data on the impact of exposure to screen media on the development of children under 3 years of age is comparatively scarce. Although the evidence available on the topic is evolving rapidly, no review of existing literature has yet encompassed a comprehensive set of developmental outcomes with a focus in the first 3 years of life. To address this research gap, the present literature review focused on the influences of screen time on various developmental outcomes of children aged zero to 36 months. These outcomes

  13. Patterns of preschool children’s screen time, parent–child interactions, and cognitive development in early childhood: a pilot study

    Jasmine Rai, Madison Predy, S. Wiebe, et al. · 2023 · Pilot and Feasibility Studies · 23 citations

    Background The primary objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of a virtual study protocol for a future longitudinal study, including recruitment, study measures, and procedures. The secondary objective was to examine preliminary hypotheses of associations, including 1) the correlations between total duration and patterns of screen time and cognitive development, and 2) the differences in quality of parent – child interactions for two screen-based tasks and a storybook reading task. Methods Participants included 44 children aged 3 years and their parents from Edmonton, Alberta and surrounding areas. Children’s screen time patterns (i.e., type, device, content, context) were pa

  14. Negotiating screen time: A mother’s struggle over ‘no screen time’ with her infant son

    Laura Teichert · 2020 · Journal of Early Childhood Literacy · 22 citations

    The literature on infant and toddler screen time has been built on two traditions—cognitive models of learning and sociocultural models of learning. Cognitive studies have cautioned against the use of screen time for young children because clinical research has not shown children can learn as effectively from screens as they do from human interaction and might delay children’s cognitive development. Conversely, qualitative research has described the social ways children learn and use digital technology through social interactions with other people in their homes. This paper reports on an autoethnographic study of how digital tools were embedded in the everyday ways of life in my home during

  15. Screen time: Implications for early childhood cognitive development.

    L. Gastaud, J. P. Trettim, C. Scholl, et al. · 2023 · Early human development · 19 citations

    BACKGROUND Exposure and introduction to digital media, especially in children, are a current cause for concern. The negative links associated with early screen exposure are extensive. AIMS To evaluate the association between the time of exposure to a screen in children at 18 months of age and cognitive development in a population-based sample in Southern Brazil. STUDY DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study corresponding to the fourth wave of a population-based cohort study with pregnant women and later, their children living in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. SUBJECTS The sample consisted of 470 children who completed the cognitive assessment. OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive develo

  16. Screen Exposure and Early Childhood Development in Resource-Limited Regions: Findings From a Population-Based Survey Study

    Yuyin Xiao, Dorien Emmers, Shanshan Li, et al. · 2025 · Journal of Medical Internet Research · 13 citations

    Background The content of children’s screen exposure and interactive coviewing with caregivers are important determinants of early childhood development (ECD) that have been overlooked in past research in resource-limited rural regions. Given the prevalence of digital devices and diverse digital content today, determining screen use practices that minimize the negative impacts on children’s development is crucial for promoting healthy screen use among children. Objective This study aims to examine screen exposure among children aged <3 years in rural China and investigate its relationship with ECD outcomes, focusing on duration, content, coviewing, and interaction. Methods The sample include

  17. Mothers' Perceptions on the Impact of Early Childhood Development and Parenting: A Comparative Study of Screen Time Groups in Indonesia

    Vivi Irzalinda, Melly Latifah, Dwi Hastuti · 2025 · Media Publikasi Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia (MPPKI) · 5 citations

    Introduction: The increased use of digital devices during childhood, both in urban and rural areas with high technology access, raises concerns about their impact on child development and health. This calls for evidence-based interventions that consider the balance between the benefits and risks of screen time. However, existing empirical evidence shows inconsistencies in linking screen time duration to sociodemographic factors, parenting practices, and various aspects of child development. This study comparative analyses sociodemographic variables, parenting practices, and maternal perceptions in relation to screen time.' Methods: This cross-sectional study included 301 mothers of children

  18. Beyond Screen Time: Effective Use of Digital Tools in Early Childhood Development

    Dalal Aldhilan, Shahid Rafiq, Ayesha Afzal · 2025 · TEM Journal · 4 citations

    This qualitative study explores the integration of digital tools in early childhood education (ECE) in Lahore, Pakistan, through semi-structured interviews with 25 educators and 25 parents of children aged 4–6 years. Employing thematic analysis, the study identifies seven themes: Educational Enhancement, Access and Equity Challenges, Developmental Concerns, Teacher Preparedness, Screen Time Regulation Strategies, Cultural and Contextual Relevance, and Parental Involvement. Findings reveal that digital tools, such as interactive apps, enhance engagement, literacy, numeracy, and motivation. Still, benefits are limited by unequal access to devices and the internet, particularly in public school

  19. Impact of Screen Time on Language Development and Vocabulary Acquisition in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

    Evangeline C Nwachukwu, Aahana Nigam, Sandeep Sekar lakshmisai, et al. · 2025 · Cureus · 3 citations

    Language development in the first few years of life is critical for later academic and social success. With the increasing use of digital devices among preschoolers, there have been concerns about the potential impact of screen time on language outcomes. Existing research presents mixed findings, making it necessary to synthesize current evidence. This systematic review aimed to examine and synthesize empirical evidence on the relationship between screen time and language development in early childhood, with emphasis on factors such as device type, content quality, socioeconomic status, and parent-child interaction. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Anal

  20. The impact of passive screen time on early childhood speech and xml:language development: parental perspectives and behavioral correlates

    A. Inayat, Shumaila Malik, A. Zaman, et al. · 2025 · Journal of Basic &amp; Clinical Medical Sciences · 2 citations

    Excessive and early exposure to digital screens has raised growing concerns about its implications for children’s speech and xml:language development. This study investigated the associations between passive screen exposure and speech and xml:language delays in children aged 5–8 years, focusing on behavioral and clinical risk factors such as screen-use duration, content type, contextual usage, parental awareness, and screen-time mediation strategies. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 203 parent‒child dyads via a structured questionnaire. Most children were exposed to screens before age two, with more than 57% exceeding two hours of daily screen time. Social media and ent

  21. Screen Time and Early Childhood Social–Emotional Development Among Children Aged Five to Six Years

    F. Sari, Agustien Lilawati, Mush'ab Al Umairi · 2025 · Journal of Educational Management Research · 1 citations

    Digital exposure has become a dominant part of early childhood routines and increasingly influences social–emotional development. This study aims to analyze the relationship between screen time, peer interaction, emotional regulation, and parental mediation in children aged 5–6 years. Using a qualitative case study, data were collected from six children, two teachers, and four parents through interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings show that high screen exposure triggers weakened emotional regulation, reflected in frequent tantrums, low frustration tolerance, and abrupt mood shifts. Excessive screen time also reduces peer interaction, indicated by 52% low group participatio

  22. Exploring the associations between coparenting alliance, parental sense of competence, and reported screen use culture: Screen time, co-viewing, and behaviors in preschool children in Greece

    Flora Koliouli, Sofia Theodosiadou · 2026 · Journal of Early Childhood Research · 1 citations

    The aim of this pilot, exploratory study was to investigate the relationship between reported screen use practices among preschoolers, including screen time and co-viewing, and parenting dimensions such as coparenting alliance and parental sense of competence, along with child’s behaviors (prosocial, externalizing and internalizing). Data were collected online from 403 parents between November 2023 and June 2024, using demographic measures and psychometric scales: the Parenting Alliance Inventory (PAI), the Parental Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The findings suggest that a stronger coparenting alliance is associated with multiple va

  23. Digital media and child health: Navigating the impact of screen time on early childhood development

    Venugopal Reddy Iragamreddy · 2025 · World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences

    With the exponential rise in digital media usage, understanding the impacts of screen time on early childhood development has become imperative. This review synthesizes current evidence on the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social effects of digital media usage in young children. It examines established guidelines, identifies potential benefits and risks, and offers practical recommendations for pediatricians and parents to optimize screen time practices, balancing technology's educational potential with the critical developmental needs of children.

  24. The Effects of Screen Time on Early Childhood Development: A Systematic Literature Review

    Riama Claudia Christine Lumban Gaol, N. Fajar · 2025 · JURNAL INFO KESEHATAN

    The effects of screen time on young children warrant greater attention, particularly as screen use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Excessive screen exposure in early childhood reduces opportunities for adequate stimulation and limits children’s engagement with their physical and social environments. When children do not receive sufficient developmental stimulation during this critical period, optimal brain development may be affected, potentially leading to delays or disorders across various developmental domains. This review aimed to further examine the negative impact of screen time on early childhood development. Guided by the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was cond

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